mid-division, headway 4th, led going well 2 out, not extended, easily
tracked leaders, went 2nd 3rd, led 5th, headed when not fluent 2 out, not fluent last, no extra flat
tracked leader until 3rd, prominent, mistake 3 out, 4th and beaten 2 out, soon weakened, mistake last
held up towards rear, headway 4th, not fluent 3 out, soon weakened
towards rear, not fluent and reminders 4th, weakening when mistake 5th, pulled up soon after
held up towards rear, headway after 3rd, lost place after next, weakened 3 out, tailed off
in touch, ridden after 5th, weakening when mistake 2 out
mid-division on outside, weakened after 3 out
in touch early, mid-division, headway after 4th, went 3rd approaching 2 out, chased winner last, stayed on, no impression
led until 5th, weakened after 3 out, tailed off
took keen hold in rear, headway after 3rd, weakened after next, mistake 5th, soon pulled up
not fluent and rider lost iron briefly 1st, towards rear and not fluent after, behind 5th, tailed off
Palace Jester did well to win a similar event at Wetherby on only his second start over timber and further improvement can be expected. He could make a race of it here with SPIRIT SON in receipt of 4lb, though Nicky Henderson's French import is still preferred. A half-brother to several winners in his native country, the latter stayed on strongly to win a Listed hurdle at Auteuil last September and should hold his own in better company. Sivola De Sivola was friendless in the market when making his debut at Bangor but caught the eye in the latter stages and will be interesting when tackling longer trips.
Spirit Son (FR) (10-3) won at Auteuil(FR) 2m 2f hdl in Sep beating Saphir River (10-3) by shd, 12 ran.
Palace Jester 11-4 (10-12) Mid-division, headway approaching 4 out, led next, kept on well from last, won at Wetherby 2m nov hdl (4) sft in Nov beating Rupert Lamb (10-12) by 2 3/4l, 18 ran.
Airdrie (IRE) 40-1 (11-2) Made most, until halfway, remained prominent, 5th as field came into view final 110 yards, 5th of 20, 23l behind African Broadway (11-2) at Newbury 2m NH flat (5) gs in Dec.
Behindcloseddoors (IRE) 33-1 (11-5) Took keen hold, tracked leaders, weakened 2 out, 5th of 14, 37l behind Whoops A Daisy (10-12) at Hereford 2m 1f mdn hdl (5) sft.
Blantyre 100-1 (11-2) Got loose before start, mid-division, weakened 6f out, tailed off over 3f out, last of 17, well behind Avoca Promise (11-2) at Bangor 2m 1f NH flat (5) gd in Dec.
Bumblebee (IRE) 4-1 (11-0) Close up in chasing group, ridden and lost place over 6f out, 10th of 12, 44l behind Twentyfourcarat (11-0) at Ascot 2m NH flat (4) gs in Nov.
Deputy Dog (IRE) 17-2 (10-9) Mid-division, headway 4th, soon chasing leaders, outpaced 3 out, stayed on approaching last, never able to challenge, 3rd of 11, 5l behind Nosecond Chance (11-2) at Fakenham 2m mdn hdl (5) gs.
Original Prankster (IRE) 40-1 (11-6) Held up in mid-division, pushed along 3 out, never dangerous, 9th of 16, 18l behind Pilgreen (11-6) at Ffos Las 2m mdn hdl (4) sft in Dec.
Sivola De Sivola (FR) 100-1 (10-12) Towards rear, never dangerous, 8th of 16, 22l behind Backspin (10-12) at Bangor 2m 1f nov hdl (4) gd in Dec.
Tiger Bay (IRE) 80-1 (11-5) Always in rear, 12th of 14, well behind Gibb River (11-12) at Plumpton 2m nh nov hdl (4) gs.
Upper Deck (IRE) 150-1 (10-12) Held up towards rear, hit 2nd, pushed along and lost place from 3 out, 8th of 9, 39l behind Attaglance (10-9) at Market Rasen 2m 3f nov hdl (4) gs in Nov.
Graylyn Amber 66-1 (10-2) Slowly away, pulled hard in rear, hampered 5th, always behind, tailed off, 9th of 16, well behind Upthemsteps (10-12) at Towcester 2m NH mdn hdl (4) sft in Dec.
Malenfant 50-1 (10-0) Mid-division, ridden and weakened over 2f out, 13th of 14, 30l behind Knight Pass (11-12) at Southwell 2m NH flat (6) gs.
